It's... been a while since I've heard about anything concerning him. I don't suppose anyone happens to know if he's working on something at the moment or not? :/
I hope he comes back soon just so the elite can stop whining. There are not many composers they will allow on Broadway.
He does write ravishing music, but his pace is glacial.
I think he was doing Princess Bride, but it fell through.
And rightly so! The elite would not approve. Ain't artsy-fartsy enough.
As an artsy-fartsy elitist, I take umbrage at your suggestion we only like artsy-fartsy things. Sometimes I am perfectly content with plain ol' fartsy.
That having been said, don't hold your breath for the next Guettel piece. It could be years before he even chooses something to work on.
Don't take umbrage! Unless you're wearing gloves. I know him and where he's been.
Swing Joined: 1/15/09
i don't like artsy-fartsy things...just good things. you people can have your mamma mias and your rock of ages. i'll wait for the shows with substance-- and a real score. if that makes me elitist i'll happily wear that title.
I think he was doing Princess Bride, but it fell through.
As a thoroughly cheesy, non-artsy-fartsy person who just bought Light in the Piazza's OBCR two days ago... I have to say that I would love to hear a Guettel Princess Bride. Oh, well.
P.S. Argh, I keep typing "Guiteau" instead of Guettel... yeah...
Stand-by Joined: 12/27/08
I thought the music for Light in the Piazza was dreadful. It was amorphous and bland, like new age music with lyrics.
I hope he comes out of hiding soon too.
Also, raker, you're part of a very small minority. Most theatre people tend to agree The Light in the Piazza offered some of the most gorgeous music for the legit stage in years. Best Original Score (Tony), Best Orchestrations (Tony) and Outstanding Music (Drama Desk) Awards tend to back us up.
Yeah, I really adore LITP, thats part of the reason I started taking Italian actually! And even though I didn't get to see it on Broadway, I saw a regional production this past Summer and it was beautiful! LOVE the score, LOVE the lyrics, LOVE the show
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
I was devastated when The Princess Bride fell through. D:
Whatever he does next, I'm sure it'll be great. He's a real unique talent.
I miss PIAZZA.
I think he is working on the musical version of Marley and Me.
Stand-by Joined: 11/29/08
Whatever it is, he should keep it locked up someplace. LITP is one of the WORST scores I have ever heard. I can't listen to the CD. BORING!
Understudy Joined: 4/4/07
I would rather Adam Guettel take his time and give us another The Light In The Piazza, Myths & Hymns, or Floyd Collins, rather than announce a new project every year that never gets anywhere anywhere. He's given us some thoroughly original theatre, and takes time to produce.
For those who prefer quantity over quality, may I suggest a subscription to "Wildhorn Monthly", wherein each year a new classic novel will be musicalized for your enjoyment.
"Artists are always on the vanguard of change: they give the community a vision."
"Desire comes from the Latin "de sire", or "of the father", or "of the stars". We want what is magical, what is out there, what is of the stars. And so our characters should as well."
"If there are people who don't believe in you, don't hang out with them. Wish them well, wish them peace, and move on."
Long live the Either Ors!!
Death to the Ands!!
I absolutely love Piazza, but have downloaded a few songs from Floyd Collins and Myths and Hymns and have been greatly disappointed... do I need to buy the full CDs?
Floyd Collins is best listened to straight through, particularly the first several songs. Turn down the lights, close your eyes, and go deep underground with "The Call." Incredible stuff.
Swing Joined: 1/15/09
in a word laura....yes. if i had the money i'd buy you and everyone else a copy of 'Floyd Collins'!!
still the best show/score i've EVER seen/heard.
i understand some don't appreciate him, but you can bet their ipods go straight to jekyll & hyde, young frankenstein, or shrek.
Also, raker, you're part of a very small minority. Most theatre people tend to agree The Light in the Piazza offered some of the most gorgeous music for the legit stage in years. Best Original Score (Tony), Best Orchestrations (Tony) and Outstanding Music (Drama Desk) Awards tend to back us up.
I love Light in the Piazza, but there's no need to say, "This won awards and a lot of people like it, so you're wrong!" And despite the fact that a lot of people tend to profile it as a huge, operatic score, a lot of the songs really are just pop melodies sung in a more operatic style.
Then again, I love the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Little Mermaid, and I like Shrek, so my taste is deeply flawed.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
Floyd Collins is amazing, especially "How Glory Goes." The ending is just SUBLIME. The CD is worth the price for that song alone.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/27/04
My God, the posturing on this thread! Most theatre people tend to agree blah blah blah? Really? You took a poll? Because most of the theatre people I know thinks that LitP was another case of Guettel appearing to be more interested in impressing his theory teachers than trusting his God-given melodic talent. We obviously don't travel in the same theatre circles.
And then there's this little beauty: "I understand some don't appreciate him, but you can bet their ipods go straight to jekyll & hyde, young frankenstein, or shrek."Â
Well in my case I guess you would loose that bet since I have no Wildhorn, Brooks, or Shrek on my ipod (Tesori's Violet and Caroline Or Change are played often) but you will find plenty of Sondheim, Bernstein, and even Larson.
How are you guys able to breath with your noses stuck so high in the air?
Updated On: 4/2/09 at 11:07 PM
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